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Vibe: Nautical, family-friendly, laid-back.

At a Glance: Families looking for a weekend escape will find this an ideal destination complete with on-property activities, wonderful beaches and some of the Hamptons best restaurants just minutes away.

Review:The venerable Montauk Yacht Club, at the tip of the East End overlooking Montauk harbor, unveiled a multi-million dollar renovation in 2007. The 107 rooms and 23 suites (housed in five free-standing villas) were updated, with modern, nautical-inspired fabrics, revamped bathrooms and such amenities as Keurig coffee makers, 37-inch flatscreen televisions, iPod clock radios and L’Occitane bath products. The overall vibe is more laid-back than the boutique inns found in the Hamptons; the property feels like a real New England hideaway where families and friends settle in for a relaxed, seaside vacation.

The Montauk Yacht Club occupies 32 acres and on-site activities include four clay tennis courts, a playground and Volleyball court, and a small spa with four treatment rooms. The five, green-roofed Villas—each has between three and nine suites—are a bit removed from the main building and a great option for families or friends traveling together who desire a feeling of autonomy. The resort’s literature boasts a “private beach,” but visitors should know that it is just a small patch of sand that fronts the bay. Real sun seekers will travel beyond the resort to Montauks Atlantic-side beaches; and a true perk of staying here is that the Montauk Yacht Club can supply beach permits for such coveted places as Ditch Plain, the most popular stretch for surfers.

Few guests still arrive via yacht, as they did when the resort first opened as a private members-only club in 1929, but the views of the 232-slip marina and beyond towards the sea are lovely. When you book in the North or South Buildings, where most of the guest rooms are located, know that the bottom floor accommodations open right onto the waterside front of the property (they come with small patios), while the ones on the upper floor have a terrace and better views. Most rooms connect (be sure to specify when you book whether you want a king-sized or double beds), making the Montauk Yacht Club ever-popular with families.